Our gold is sourced through projects run by Canadian-based non-profit IMPACT and Single Mine Origin. IMPACT organizes initiatives aimed at empowering small scale artisanal miners, and specifically women, in fair and just gold supply chains on the continent of Africa. Single Mine Origin (SMO) works with selected World Gold Council accredited mines and other independent bodies to extract, refine and sell responsibly sourced gold that can be traced every step of the way, while providing vital social, environmental and cultural support to the communities they operate in. Although most of the gold and silver used in our designs is recycled and re-refined, Omi Woods continually works with organizations, individuals and suppliers in efforts to contribute to and maintain just and fair gold and fine metal supply chains as a means to empower communities, workers, and artisans involved in the trade. 

 

Why Fairly Sourced Gold?

Gold is not just a raw material, it is a metal that is used to back financial systems, structure trade, and leverage economics. As a result, mined gold will always be in demand. Omi Woods understands this and aims to balance the environmental benefits of using primarily recycled gold, with the realities of the gold mining market in a way that encourages fair and ethical gold trading in African and Indigenous Communities. 

 

A History of Gold

"Since the inception of Omi Woods, I have utilized jewelry to explore and trace my lineage from the shores of the Caribbean, to Western Africa, Benin, the Ancient Moors, the Bamileke of Cameroon, through to Egypt and down the Nile to ancient Nubia - a heritage that spans some of the most vibrant silver and gold producing ethnic groups on the continent of Africa and beyond. It is important to me to be sharing the ongoing interconnected story of Africa and diasporic Africans through ethical fine metals and gold. I hope you use jewelry to explore, celebrate and record your heritage, special moments, and most sacred keepsakes like cultures around the world have done since the beginning of time."       

- Ashley Alexis McFarlane, Founder and CEO of Omi Woods